After getting job done on the floor, waiting game starts for Bolts

Meralco, which has completed the task of ending the eliminations on a winning record, now sets its sights on one game that can determine the chance to seize the advantage for the second time to beat in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governor’s Cup.

“We still have to wait and see what happens with San Miguel [Beer] and NLEX. NLEX controls its own destiny,” Bolts coach Norman Black said after Meralco’s 92-86 win over Phoenix on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

While finishing the classification at 7-4, the Bolts stayed alive for the quarter-final bonus and also put pressure on the other teams who are also trying for the top four slots to the next phase of the end-of-season conference.

Black’s game is set for March 15 at the same venue. NLEX is close behind Meralco in fourth place at 7-3, and a win over San Miguel, which is 7-2, will close the door on the Bolts.

Also with the inside track is Barangay Ginebra, which enters the game against Converge in the nightcap with a 6-2 card, while the outsiders are Magnolia with a 6-4 slate after an impressive 121-115 overtime comeback over another Terrafirma. night.

Even with the complexity of chasing a double to beat, Black and the Bolts came to the contest with the goal of just getting the win and worrying about the unknown later.

The opportunity is there

“Our focus for this game is not to let this opportunity pass,” he said. “We know that if we lose this game, we will probably play TNT or San Miguel.

“We want to win tonight to give ourselves a chance – one, for one of the top four [slots] and two, to avoid the top team going to the next round. We can get it done,” Black added.

Things were easier to understand for Phoenix, despite losing to Meralco and finishing 4-7.

A win would allow the Fuel Masters to clinch eighth place and complete the quarter-finals. However, coach Jamike Jarin and his young squad will also have to wait for the eliminations to finish.

The result kept NorthPort, with a 3-7 record, in contention for a quarterfinal berth. But Dermaga Batang faced a tough obstacle on March 15 when they faced TNT Tropang Giga.

NorthPort will force a playoff with Phoenix for the No. 8 seed if they can pull off an upset victory over TNT.

Phoenix stayed tight in the first half behind import duo Du’Vaughn Maxwell and rookie Encho Serrano. But Meralco turned around in the third with the import of KJ McDaniels, Chris Banchero and Aaron Black led the separation of the Master fuel.

McDaniels finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, four steals and five blocks for the Bolts. INQ

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